Language Loops

In our house, if I speak English, only one person listens to me - Jun. If I speak Japanese, only Ryu listens to me. This works pretty well, most of the time. However, sometimes I switch languages on everyone.

The other day I was reading something off the Interenet in English to Ryu. He repeated what I had said to check his understanding and to try to figure out why I was saying what I had said. He asked, "Why is October the best month for 'gaijins' (foreigners)?" I said, "WHAAAAT?" He repeated himself. I was TOO confused. Finally I looked at the computer screen again and laughed. I had read, "October is the best month for buying jeans!"

One more day in the life of a bi-lingual'ish household.

Imodessying

We are very thankful to have a family living next to us that shares many of our values and restrictions. They also have two "big" girls who are pretty good role models for Jun. Even when the sisters fight, it gives Jun and I something to discuss - being an only kiddo - it is important to learn about this, I think. They also are being raised like Jun is/will be, so Jun gets a foreshadow of some of her future, I think.

Anyway, one day Jun came to me with this:

Jun: Mama, I'm hot, I want you to cut off all of my bangs.

Me: Hmmm.

Jun: Megan (not real name) has her hair pulled way back like this.

Me: That sounds cute.

Jun: Mama, (in an exasperated tone), it shows her WHOLE FOREhead!!!!!

Me: Yes....?!?!?!?

Jun: Mama, (exasperation and indignation continuing), don't you think that is IMODESSYING?????!!! (translation: immodest).

Me: Well, Junnie, your forehead is NOT one of the private parts of your body.

LOL!

Jun's On Word Patrol

My Dad is of the older school. If he doesn't know a woman's name at a store or something, he wants to be nice, and calls her "honey." Or, he used to. One day he was out with Jun and did this. Jun pipes up, "Why did you call her "honey" Grandpa? She's NOT your honey! I AM!"

A couple of days ago was a kind of bad day. It seemed like everyone got injured working on the new house. I was carrying barefooted Jun home from the neighbors. It had been raining. Suddenly there was concrete under the mud I was walking on - I'd forgotten - and I started doing the splits. Jun hung on around my waist with her legs and we were both going down. I didn't want to fall on top of her, so "dropped" her the last few inches onto the mud and caught myself at the last minute. Later as we were going to bed she pipes up, "Mama, what does 'dang it' mean?" "Oh," I said, "That's just a short way of saying 'oh my goodness sakes alive! It's for adults to use!" LOL!

(More house stories to come!)

It's COLD!!!

We were outside for a few hours today trying to fix our laundry system. Basically, the hot water hose burst a month or so ago and flooded the whole floor and shed (and bunnie's home under the floor, I'm sure - though I had no chance to ask them.) Then we've had trouble with the washer washing after it filled with cold water. Today's fun was that no water would even go into the washer. And right about then, we noticed the water leaking from the hose where it attaches to the cold water faucet. A lot. And the faucet couldn't be turned off. Sooooo, thinking of the bunnies and all, I called the city and they came and turned off the water - in about 5 minutes. I do love many things about small town life. Then I made two trips up to the hardware store to get the correct parts and return the incorrect ones. Ryu went next door and borrowed two pipe wrenches and a handful of other wrenchlike wrenches. And, with my Dad on Skype for 2 1/2 hours talking us through various stages of changing a faucet (don't forget the tape!) and attaching the tubes...we called the water man and he came and turned the water back on for us. And...we had a washer...that didn't work still!!! So, we put the heater on the floor of the laundry room and waited an hour. Now it works. At least the washer is filling...I so hope it does it's whole thing properly!!!! So, that's the pipe wrench story.



The next two stories are language stories. Believe me, Ryu laughed along with us all when we told him!!

My niece was telling Uncle Ryu about this new horse she was going to buy. She was so excited! It was 6 years old and it was broke and they only wanted $400 for it. Uncle Ryu could not IMAGINE why anybody would spend $400 on a broken horse! We laughed and laughed.

One morning Ryu came to me and was very worried. When he 'd been putting Jun to bed the night before, she'd been talking away like usual. He understood that her teacher while she was at kindergarten had made her get into some kind of a position like an upside down cross. He wondered if there had been some...strange things happening there. I talked to Jun. It turns out her teacher uses the phrase "criss cross applesauce" when she wanted the kids to sit cross legged - unless they are wearing skirts, of course! Boy was Ryu relieved!

Jun stories? Well, last night she said, "Mama, I think you need to cut the hairs on my knees. They are getting long." I did well and didn't laugh out loud! I think the hairs on my knees could use a bit of attention too!

Jun did a few days of stress hives between Christmas and New Years. Caused Ryu and I A LOT of stress, we were so worried about her. Things seem to be settled down now, so...we need our boring lifestyle, I guess!

Shopping story!!! We found a store in Boise that sells important staples for our family! Like natto (fermented soy beans) at a reasonable price - only 3 times what we paid in Japan. They are frozen, so kind of soft, but Jun is very happy and has no desire to share with anyone! They also had yakisoba - at a reasonable price!!! With real Japanese chemical powder to put in the noodles. We couldn't have been happier. They also had kakinotane (spicy rice crackers with peanuts). Jun is ecstatic! Oh, and mochi for New Year's!

Fuyu futori family!!! We have all added pounds (yes, probably even kilos) so far this winter. Being housebound is part of it. Eating is the other part! ARGH!!!

In other news...hmmm...we started homeschooling today. Jun is doing very well. She learned a lot during our long winter vacation. I don't think I will be quite as "hishi" (crazy?) about getting everything done every day as I was in the fall. She learns from everyone and everything! And long a with a silent e seems to have clicked! YEAH!

Just wanted to let you know we are alive and well, though freezing!!! Happy New Year!

Snow Day

Jun and I put our boots and coats on over our PJ's and went out with a ruler to measure the snow this morning. Home schooling and all that, you know! There were about 9" (22.5cm) of snow out there! I mentioned to Ryu that we didn't have a snow shovel. He said to wait till the sun melts it off. My Dad said we will be snowed in till spring, then!

So, Jun and I later found an old heavy shovel in the shed and shoveled a bit around to get the car out of the driveway (into the unplowed road) so I could get the pick-up (that has 4-wheel drive) out. Eventually the switch was finished and we came back in to hibernate for the rest of the day. Can snow make one sleepy? (Ryu wrenched his back Monday, so is excused from hard labor!)

We did end up doing our A is for Angel today. Friends, Family, Loved Ones and Uncrafty Folk like myself - THIS is Origami from heaven! Here's the link for this pre-printed, pre-colored, pre-measured, with folding lines origami angel. Christmas Angel Origami I copied and pasted the picture into Excel to make the angel as big as my piece of paper, but you certainly don't need to do this. I thought we'd be making an angel for the top of our Christmas tree - still no idea where folks around here get Christmas trees (live ones), though a girl from church called to see if I waned to buy a Poinsettia. Anyway, we are well on our way to making the multitude of heavenly hosts who appeared to the shepherds on the hills and sang "Glooooooooooooooooria!" I think they will look nice over the window. Now Jun has me making a flower for the tree. OK. From Origami. OoK. With the directions written in Japanese. OooK. But, folks, it is a HYDRANGEA (ajisai!!!) !!! Those bloom in MAY!

On for our stellar dinner tonight. This one certainly won't make it to Kim's Kantan Cooking! When I was in Japan I "made curry rice" rather rarely. We had it at church EVERY Sunday for the first 5-6 years of our married life, so, who needs curry twice a week? Well, after Sunday Curry stopped, I started making it according to the recipe on the box of roux - more or less. We are a no-onion family and I am a cheap Mama, so our curry was always a bit...soupy. Anyway, since coming to the US, curry is a treat! Not one to be taken lightly. A small box of roux here is $2.50. For the three of us, I use 2/5 of the box at a time and dump in a bunch of curry powder.

But, that's not the half of it. Ryu commented that my curry never seems to taste the same from time to time. No, honey. It surely does not and cannot. I use curry to disguise leftovers. Here's what I mixed together in the pot today before adding that precious 2/5 of a box of curry roux to the rest:

1. Leftover beef stew
2. Leftover pasta with cheese, turkey and cream of chicken soup
3. Leftover oyakodon (chicken and egg in a sweet broth)
4. Leftover mixed veggies
5. Leftover apple and celery salad with a bit of whipped cream and lots of cinnamon and nutmeg (I microwaved this for 2 min before adding it.)

And you know? It was really good!

And lastly, during our "Let's talk in Japanese" Dinner, Jun was singing the Japanese favorite "Ashita ga aru..." (Tomorrow will come...) song. However she was singing it that tomorrow wouldn't come. I stopped her and said, in Japanese, "Well, I guess if tomorrow doesn't come it will be OK because we will be together in 'tengoku.'" Jun got wide eyes and asked, "Mama is 'tengoku' Boise?" Tengoku means 'heaven.' We howled!

Thanksgiving: I'm so thankful for the snow and the last few days of rest. I've enjoyed hanging out with Jun and helping Ryu with his latest leather project!

English English?

As I was teaching tonight, I was reminded of a question I have about some reading books Jun is using. And I realized that there are sure to be a few folks who read this blog who can clue me in!

The books are a part of the Usborne Miniature Editions. And, they are all written in the simple present tense. For example:
Farmer Dray picks up Poppy and Sam, and puts them on Dolly's back. Then he climbs up behind them. "Off home, now. Hold on tight," he says, as Dolly plods along.

My questions:

1. Are they written in simple present tense for early readers?
2. Is this a British English thing? I've never seen it before.
3. Is this used in other English speaking countries?
4. Do people talk like this when telling stories, or is it just a form of writing?

Questioning minds, and all that, until I get into the story, I keep stumbling over the "says" 's wanting desperately to tell the story in a PAST tense!

Thankfuls: It snowed again today. And the washer that we thought was broken just needed a breaker thrown for it, apparently. I guess with this season's changes, we still have lots to learn about living in the US!

Kurushiiiiii!

I'm sitting here between classes. I wish I was wearing a belt that I could loosen. The elk, the turkey, the dressing the cranberry pudding, the pumpkin pie, the the the - were all wonderful and all sampled and, my stomach is KURUSHIIIII.

Now this brings me right into my topic for today. How do YOU say KURUSHI in English? Full just doesn't seem to convey the feeling of...KURUSHIness that is found in the word KURUSHI!

I got a letter from a dear friend who used some kind of computer translation to send the letter to me in English. I translated it back into Japanese to understand it's meaning to the fullest:

The gift was sent from the post office yesterday.
What have you entered?、
The enjoyment after it reaches.

The package has arrived and I can't wait to get home to OPEN IT! (NOTE: Especially as packages over 453 gm or 1 lb cannot any longer be sent to the US until further notice!)

There are words like NATSUKASHI that I hate to try to translate. "Nostalgic" is just not a word I commonly use in English. Neither is the phrase, "Long time - no see." And, anyway, NATSUKASHI just seems to fit!

When I first lived in Japan I hated the phrases SHIKATA GA NAI, or SHO GA NAI. I always thought that SHIKATA GA AAAARRRUUU or SHO GA ARUUUUU was the right way to live. (Stick with me, you who are learning Japanese as you read!!) But, as motherhood took over previously held beliefs, I decided that sometimes there really IS not Shikata, there IS no Sho! So, these phrases became part of my life and vocabulary. So, my laziness has continued and I have directly translated those phrases as: It can't be helped. And used it with Junnie. (Any other folks want to shout out that they TOO think that EVERYTHING CAN be helped???)

However, there is nothing cuter coming out of a 4 year old's mouth than the phrase, "But Mama, it can't be helped!" She even got the proper past tense on the phrase last week, "It couldn't be helped." It would make me really want to laugh if I didn't know how peculiar the phrase is...and if that wasn't the only way that I could think to confess SHIKATA GA NAI!

Thankful: To hear from so many of you on yesterday's post! I hope you all have a blessed day!!!

What are Butterscotch Chips For?

My Mom said it isn't bribery. She said it was a reward. I don't remember getting either bribes OR rewards as a kid. Maybe they stopped before I got old enough to remember? Mom?

We have a bit of a situation here. Our very bi-lingual daughter is becoming 1 1/2 lingual. Meaning she still understands a lot of Japanese, but prefers to speak in English. And she will tell you that herself!

And we have a husband/daddy who is a native speaker of Japanese, but who needs to learn English.

And a wife/mama who speaks Japanese with Daddy and English with the daughter. And often is carrying on conversations with both of them simultaneously in different languages at the dinner table.

So, anyway, to get back to the butterscotch chips, we have a friend coming from Japan for a week around Thanksgiving time. We can't wait to see her and can't wait for her to speak to Jun in JAPANESE - which she promises to do!

We are trying to get Jun's tongue to move Japanese style before our friend gets here, so we have set dinnertime for everyone to speak Japanese. However, EVERYONE seems to forget this.

It's amazing how a growable/shrinkable pile of butterscotch chips can jog one's memory! I doled out five to each of us. If Ryu or I spoke English, we had to give up a chip. If Jun spoke Japanese she got another chip and if she spoke English she lost one. Ryu ended up with three chips. Jun ended up with 14. I ended up with my original five and a daughter who thought speaking Japanese was SO much fun and who can't wait to play this game again tomorrow! With sprinkles. Minute sized sprinkles.

And, with sprinkles we will INDEED play this game at breakfast with our chocolate chip peanut butter granola. Let me know if you need the recipe!

Thankful: Today wasn't the happiest day of my life. It started with having to roast a 25 lb (11 kilo) turkey for church. I don't think anything went wrong with it, but...I felt the stress. I guess I'm thankful for all the leaves that had fallen in our yard as they gave me something to rake and release some of that stress!

Mars and Venus? I'm a True Believer!

Ryu's main "job" is studying English these days. He goes to the local Community College and attends their ESOL class for advanced students. There are usually about four students in the class. The teacher was born and raised in Hiroshima! I have to laugh. There are NO native English speakers in THAT room. That does allow them to have interesting discussions, however. More than grammar and vocabulary, they talk about communication - the way Americans' communicate verses people in their home cultures. Being in a bi-lingual, bi-cultural marriage, this is pretty interesting for ME too.

Well, anyway, Ryu's conversation partner in this group is a Spanish speaker from Peru. He is a few years older than Ryu and seems to be a very hard worker. Yesterday Ryu came home and said that they had stood out in the street after class and talked (in English - of course!) for an hour!

I asked, "Is he married?" Ryu said, "I didn't ask."
I asked, "Does he have any kids?" Ryu said, "I didn't ask."
I asked, "How long has he been in the US?" Ryu said, "I didn't ask."

The ONLY question that I asked that Ryu knew the answer to was what the man is doing now. And, I suspect Ryu didn't ask that, but the man volunteered. No Japanese man that I know would ever ask what someone else did for a living!

My last question, "What DID they talk about for an hour?????"

Thankfulness: We went to Boise today! Only the second time I've driven there in our six months here. It was a beautiful day and the fall leaves were gorgeous. And, even though Boise seems to have lost all of its Panda Expresses, we enjoyed our search and had a great and relaxing day together!

CAR, CAR, CAR

Sometimes I think my English is coming right along. As I am still teaching my students in Japan, I often feel so confident that I am now teaching them REAL English phrases, etc.

But, sometimes it doesn't come right along and, then THIS happens:

A friend and I and our two kids were driving on the freeway in Idaho. For some reason Idaho thinks that the tiny part of this section of the freeway that ISN'T under construction, should have a speed limit of 70 mph. Well, that is too fast! Unless one is speeding, one should not feel pressured to drive so fast! And, the freeway had about 3 lanes in this particular span. My friend and I were chatting and she started to change lanes to her left. I was turned to look at her and saw the car in her blind spot that she didn't see. And I started shouting, "CAR, CAR, CAR!" All the time thinking that there MUST be a more natural way to express the fact that she is about to side swipe a car and that she shouldn't be changing lanes right now, and...that I sounded a lot like that guy on that TV show that yelled, "Da PLANE, Da Plane!"

Well, anyway, she got my drift, avoided the car and got us all home safe and sound. But I have thought of that incident often. Not about her driving, but about my English. WHAT DO AMERICANS say in that situation?!?!?!

I found out the other day. I was driving this time. We had been out with our kids delivering Meals on Wheels. I was stopped at a stop sign, saw a big truck coming that had its blinker on and started to pull out to give it a little more room. She didn't see the blinker and grabbed my shoulder and yelled, "WATCH OUT!" Her son informed her that the truck's blinker WAS on. But, I was just delighted! THAT'S what one should holler when you want someone to avoid disaster! Now I know!

Mother Rocks

Jun frequently surprises me about...many things.

Yesterday she used a puzzle inappropriately and I got a little angry with her. Later as we were putting the puzzle together to be sure we had all the pieces, and I put the last piece in, Jun said, "You Rock!" HUH???? My first image was me as a big stone somewhere. Rock lover that Jun is! Then I remembered some FB friends used that phrase. However, Jun does not yet read FB - or blogs HAHAHA. So I asked where she heard THAT phrase! "The man with the monkey!" I'm just glad I spend tons of time with Jun every day. It helps in interpretation. The man with the yellow hat - Curious George - the game site on NPR. The man with the yellow hat does not limit himself to "good job," unlike someone's MOTHER. Too funny!

And, speaking of "MOTHER"...or should I say, "Oh, Mother!" I never used that phrase to my mother until I was at least in Jr. High School! And it was often less than positive. (Sorry, Mom.) I NEVER used it when I was 3 1/2. And, while I WAS getting a little tired of being called "Hun" last week by Jun, I certainly did not want her to switch from that to "OH MOTHER!" So, I asked her why she was suddenly calling me "Mother." She said, "Because I love you so much!" Well, that is of course, wonderful, however it really doesn't answer the "why" part of the question. So, before bed last night I tried again. She said, "Yumi-chan calls her Mama "okaasan," and "okaasan" in English is "mother". May I remind you this child is 3 1/2!!! Well, I still prefer a nice sweet "Mama!"

Parallel But Not The Same!

Mama: Who

Jun: fu se

Mama: ??says? boo?

Jun: No, Mama, "n"! Fusen - balloon!

What language are any of us speaking???

Say, "DIE," Mama!

I was innocently washing the dishes. Jun was playing near the table. Suddenly she looks up at me and says, "Say 'die,' Mama!"

My eyebrows flew up and my mind started racing. Where did THAT phrase come from? Memories from reality or not - -of bullies on playgrounds saying, "Say DIE!" came spewing forth. Then I thought of a dear friend of ours who has recently passed away. Maybe Jun is trying to talk about that? Then I remembered a word Jun has been using constantly for the past year, "why?"

Me: Why, Junnie?

Jun: Say, "su!"

Me: Why?

Jun: Say, "ki!"

Me: Ahhhh! "daisuki?"

Jun: Say, "Ma!"

Me: Ma

Jun: Say, "ma!"

Me: ma

Jun: Say, "daisuki Mama!" (I love you, Mama!)

Ryu often says I think too much! All this thinking isn't ALL my fault!

I love YOU TOO, Junnie!

English Sites for Toddlers

Well, I am not very good at keeping to my theories about many things in life. It actually amazes me at how flexible I am when it comes to reality when I am quite firm in theory!

Anyway, I promised myself that Jun would not use the computer till she learned to type - blind touch, as I have many relatives who type alright, but not "correctly." My Dad always said typing was a very important skill to learn - and I did make lots of spending money in college typing papers for others. Anyway

Well, initially my theory kind of fell by the wayside when I found some cute videos on YouTube that Jun enjoys.

Then, as she wasn't too bad at using the mouse, I decided that she isn't really USING the keyboard yet, anyway, so it doesn't matter that she can't type - blind touch - yet. Yes, I am good at rationalizing things.

Then, I looked around to find some sites that I liked to help her with phonics and reading and, then sites to help with mousework and numbers and and and. Well, I only have two sites that I really like so far, but I'm sure I will find more.

This is how big of a hypocrite I am - I am going to look around for a mouse that will fit her hands - so she can learn to use it PROPERLY! Yep, I have lost my own battle!

OK - the two sites (American phonics - sorry, friends from Australia, NZ, England, etc.)

Starfall.com Has a great basic phonics section, and simple reading sections too.

Curious George (PBS) I just love the man in the yellow hat. He is so calm and nice. Some of the games here are beyond Jun's mouse level and would only frustrate her, but others are just right for her age. Also, the games get harder as the user gets better. We will be enjoying these for awhile.

These sites both have printables too, so your child can do other work WITHOUT a computer - or if you are a parent who keeps your own word to yourself, you can NEVER let the child KNOW there are fun things like this on the computer.

Speaking of that, or not, here is a site to generate writing worksheets. You get to choose from various sizes and styles and choose the content. I've used these a lot for ESL classes where kids need to learn to write their names, etc! Also, I realized Jun had workbooks with letters but nothing for number writing practice...so I made some here:

Handwriting Worksheets

PLEASE - if you have other educational sites you like to use with Toddlers - PLEASE COMMENT! Thanks!

Reading Theory - What Do YOU Think?

Jun and I "studied" English today, MUCH to her DELIGHT!!! She learned the word "the." And it was FUN!

To be honest, I can't remember teaching Jun her abc's. Memory loss, or she just kind of absorbed it all from her ABC puzzle. But, really, for some reason she knows her lowercase letters too. I don't know why.

But, it makes me glad!

Before we went back to the US this summer, I asked my Mom to teach her how to read. I guess it is kind of early, but I really don't remember learning how to read. My Mom taught us as soon as we could link an i and and s, I think. Unfortunately, we were just so so busy this trip, there wasn't enough down time for Mom to work her magic...so I have to pick up the slack!

Why am I worrying about it when Jun just turned 3? Well, besides the fact that one of my nieces CRIED because she came home from the first day of kindergarten and hadn't been taught to READ, I have a theory.

This is where I would LOVE to hear your stories and opinions, plans, and experiences!

A missionary family living here in Japan sent their kids to Japanese schools. Japanese hiragana - the basic 46 symbol phonic "alphabet", once learned, enables kiddos to READ. One symbol always makes that ONE sound. Unlike the good old American A that is supposed to have 5 sounds - but I can never remember them all.

Well, the kids found it MUCH easier to read in Japanese than in English. One kid asked why the English books couldn't be written using the Japanese alphabet. Well, I think people EVERYWHERE wonder why phonics must be so complicated, but...

So, my theory/plan, is to teach Jun how to read in English (while "teaching" her hiragana"), but never letting on that she can READ in Japanese using hiragana until she masters some basic English. What do you think????

Bilingual Monkey - NOT!

OK, I need some rational assistance here!!!

Jun has been talking since she was born...well, at least since she was one - as far as I can remember. I started teaching her sign language at about 10 months - she learned about 5 signs, and then at one, started using the words for the signs, so I gave THAT up, and she has been speaking ever since. This is only "remarkable" because I heard/read that kids growing up in a bilingual environment often start to speak later than those in a monolingual. So, I was kind of surprised to hear her start talking so soon.

Her "go-to" language has changed off an on over the past 2 years. Sometimes she goes on a Japanese jag and sometimes an English, even with me. However, after our trip to the US last Dec., she seems to have maintained her grip on English and added to her Japanese.

Before she started talking, someone told me about another bilingual child who had experienced real and bad stress from having to live in a bilingual world. So, I've kept an eye on her language use and stress. Until now, I haven't noticed anything at all. I have also been low key in asking her to use one or the other languages (depending on who she is talking to.)

That being said - she does the bilingual stuff just GREAT! She generally speaks to Daddy in Japanese and me in English. She saw a blond daddy and little boy on a bicycle and asked if they were "English" (the language). She has started labeling people as English or Japanese.

She asked the other night if she was Japanese. I told her that her body was Japanese, but that she spoke Japanese and English. Oh, she said, like Yu-kun! (A bilingual Japanese young man from our church.) YEAH! I thought! There is a person she is "like." But she is very aware of the languages she speaks/hears right now. It is a big deal to her. Sensitive? I don't know, but, it is an important time, I think!

Well, I guess we have been around "new" kids and Mamas a lot lately. And, I guess their kids are starting to talk more and more, so that seems to be the topic of conversation. "Is Jun bilingual?"

Let me set a "typical" stage for you. Jun and I are among "unknown Mamas." I speak to Jun in English - don't jump off the cliff. You know, those important messages. Suddenly, all eyes and ears are on us, and the "bilingual" talk starts. Oh, I wish my kid was bilingual. What a wonderful environment to grow up in. I wish our kids could be friends...etc.

So, I am running out of things to say that stop the "flow" (especially as these conversations are right in front of Jun), but aren't rude. I've tried: Atarimai (the fact Jun is bilingual should be no surprise, as she has parents from TWO language countries.) That didn't go over too well, even though I said it in a very kind voice. I also tried: Yes, isn't it interesting to see how kids' brains develop when they learn two languages. That is just a little tiring to keep saying each time "BILINGUAL" comes up. I've also done the "sponge" spiel about how little kids soak up info and pronunciation so easily...ad nauseum.

So, do you have bilingual kids? What language do you talk to them outside your home? What do you say to those BILINGUAL wishing Mamas? HELP!!!!

DOG? GOD?

The other morning Jun was feeding me my vitamins. I was not allowed to use my hands, and had to open my mouth and wait for her to pop a vitamin into my mouth. On the 3-4th vitamin she said, happily, "Just like a dog!"

Once she finished "feeding the dog!" she asked me to put my arm across the back of her high chair while she was eating, "just like a rainbow!" You know! The rainbow God put into the sky after the great big flood. The rainbow that promises no more floods of that size. The rainbow that curves around the world to protect us! Just like God?

Ryu didn't get it. Do you?

Well, I'd better hang the laundry out and hide the chocolate candy wrappers before the "dog feeder" "rainbow commander" wakes up from her nap! Oh, and I would like to make a public apology to Jun for not being able to make the thunder and lightening happen this morning. She truly enjoyed it last night! Really! Brain washing, Grammy style!

Exercise Class

When I was home in the States years and years ago, I bought a pair of shoes. Tennis shoes...sneakers...running shoes...sports shoes...UNDO-KUTSU - in Japanese. KUTSU is shoes. Keep that in mind.

Usually in the fall, though sometimes in the spring, Japanese schools, from pre-school on up, have UNDO-KAI's. Sports Day. It is an all day event that takes lots of practice and, to watch, is so well choreographed,it kind of resembles a military presentation - in my limited experience. Please remember that UNDO is Japanese for sports!

This April Jun and I decided to join a "dance" class. "Exercises/Sports" for Mama and kiddos. This Mama spends most of the time chasing said kiddo to get her to participate, but...I guess that is exercise too.

When our neighbors saw Jun and I off to class, I mentioned that we were going to Oyako (parent and kid) UNDO. You know - the UNDO in tennis shoes. The UNDO in Sports Day. Everyone looked at me like I was a bit off, but, of course, no one said ANYTHING. Hmmm.

Then, when I used the word TAISO - exercise (as in Radio Exercises which we have in the parks every morning very very early), everyone smiled.

I guess UNDO can also be used for something like a political movement. I guess I was telling folks I was going to some kind of a political rally, campaign, movement, or demonstration for parents and kids. Hmmmmmmm. Maybe.

Language Lisps

A friend visited from Kansai yesterday. It has been years since I have heard some of my favorite Japanese phrases come from any lips other than my own. I learned Japanese in Kobe, and was marked for my Kansai-ben (accent, special lingo), especially when I visited Tokyo. So, it was so good to hear

• honma ni rather than honto ni (really!?)
• -na rather than -ne (right?!)
• mecha and mecha gucha rather than totemo (very very something)

Ahhh! It was so nostalgic!

But, my friend for Kansai is 100% fluent in both languages. I get tongue tied when speaking Japanese in front of fluent English speakers. ARGH! (I spoke Japanese because Ryu was with us too, and it is more natural for all of us.)

I was feeling pretty good about my Japanese level a month or so ago when I was asked to give a 20 minute talk about becoming a Christian, at my church. I never write out my talks in Japanese, just make notes in English, check some Japanese words I may not know, and go for it. I really enjoyed doing the talk, and, as I was saying, felt pretty good about it. Until the following Wednesday. We have a prayer meeting with lots of housewives. One asked about my talk. "You meant THIS. Right?" "Umm, no." Another person at the other end of the table said, "No! She meant THIS." "Umm, no." Another person from the other side of the room piped up, "No, Kim meant THIS." No one got it right, so I turned to the pastor who is pretty bi-lingual. "Can you explain it?" "No." There went MY balloon! Pride goes before the fall, right? Too funny!

Then, this past week I was at a tea time with a former missionary. He is 78 years old, and a wonderful man. He has only been a short-term missionary, so doesn't speak much Japanese. As I was the one sitting next to him, I translated for him. Oh, my goodness! It has been a long time since I have translated for anyone other than Jun and Ryu LOL! I either speak Japanese or English. The vocabularies in each language are pretty separate in my mind. So, when I have to match the English word with the Japanese word...it was tough. I realized that I know most of the Japanese words I need to say what I want to say - just not the Japanese words to say what OTHERS want to say. Yep, very humbling!

Is this encouraging me to start studying Japanese again? Well, we'll see.

What 'Love" Means, Mama? by Junnie

I am very interested in knowing what different words mean! I've asked Mama about some words in the last few weeks, and have gotten rather unsatisfactory answers, I'm afraid. Like, "What 'closed' means?" "What 'loud' means?" Sometimes she tries to explain what they mean. Sometimes she tells me the Japanese word for it.

The other day we were looking at the calendar. The next day was Grandpa's birthday. We said, "I love you, love you, love you, Grandpa." Then I said, "I love Grandpa Dick." He's a very special friend of our family.

Then I said, "What 'love' means, Mama?" Mama got tears in her eyes. She said, "Well, Junnie, 'love' means I will be here to take care of you as long as I can. 'Love' means that I will always accept you." Then she got tears in her voice.

So, Daddy asked me, "What 'love' means, Junnie?" I said, "sleep, sleep, sleep."

Mama and Daddy smiled.

So, I ask you, "What 'love' means?"